RASA, the popular fast-casual Indian restaurant chain founded by Montgomery County natives Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman, has announced the launch of its new Indian Plates– a modern twist on classic Indian comfort food. RASA has a Montgomery County location in Rockville’s Montrose Crossing shopping center.
The new Indian Plates menu offers a complete meal in every dish by pairing fragrant basmati rice with a variety of bold, flavorful entrees. Diners can choose from classics like Butter Chicken, a crowd-pleaser in a rich tomato cream sauce; Chicken Tikka Masala, featuring grilled chicken in a spiced, tangy curry; Saag Paneer, which blends spinach with golden Indian cheese; Paneer Butter Masala, a creamy and vegetarian-friendly option; and Aloo Gobhi, a vibrant vegan dish with spiced potatoes and cauliflower. With these options available every day for lunch and dinner, whether dining in, taking out, or catering, RASA is poised to delight both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Drawing on the diverse culinary heritage and deep family legacy rooted in Gaithersburg and Rockville, RASA’s innovative menu offers a complete meal experience designed to be both accessible and delicious. Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman, who grew up in Gaithersburg, were immersed in the world of Indian cuisine from an early age. Their fathers, K.N. Vinod and Surfy Rahman, have been longstanding partners and proprietors of Bombay Bistro in Rockville since 1991. Many of Rahul and Sahil’s earliest memories are filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Bombay Bistro, where they literally learned how to walk. This early exposure planted the seed for a lifelong passion for Indian food and inspired the founders to create RASA– a concept aimed at introducing a wider audience to the rich, diverse flavors of Indian cuisine.
After successfully expanding with locations in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, RASA’s founders felt a strong pull to return home. Their Rockville location at Montrose Crossing, which opened in April 2023 and is situated just three miles from the family-run Bombay Bistro, serves as both a business venture and a heartfelt homecoming. It is here, in the heart of Montgomery County, that RASA continues its family legacy while also addressing a notable gap in the local dining scene—making Indian food more approachable and widely available.
With its deep ties to Montgomery County and a passion for sharing authentic Indian flavors with a modern twist, RASA’s latest offering marks an exciting new chapter for the local dining scene– one that honors tradition while embracing innovation.